Chapter 19 #2
Her conversation with Mary was very different and far more sensible.
Mary was able to explain some of the events that had happened at Longbourn—long arguments between her parents about what would happen with Lydia and Mrs. Bennet’s persistent denial of Lydia’s situation until she could do so no longer.
Lydia had been isolated and kept separated from the rest of the family, and Kitty had not been able to figure out what was happening, but Mary had, having seen tenants and others in the same condition.
Mary could not understand why her mother and sister were so determined to think poorly of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy while thinking so well of Mr. Wickham, who seduced a 15-year-old, leaving her with child and then subsequently disappeared.
Not only that but the man had been court-martialled and hanged for his attempt to desert the militia and had left substantial debts in Brighton and Meryton.
Jane’s situation was the most difficult for Mary to understand.
When Mr. Bingley returned that summer, Jane had become distant from the family.
She had readily accepted his proposal of marriage, offered on only his second visit, but she had begun to wonder why Jane had accepted him so readily after his desertion of her in the previous autumn.
The wedding had been difficult, as there had been many arguments at Longbourn preceding it, most of which their aunt had been privy to in the days leading up to the ceremony.
Mary had heard that Elizabeth had visited Netherfield but had not known or been told why she had not stayed for the wedding.
When she asked Jane, Jane had not explained but had merely said it was for the best.
After the wedding, Jane had rarely visited Longbourn.
Granted, they had journeyed to London soon after and then to Pemberley before eventually returning to Netherfield for a brief stay in January.
Mama had visited Netherfield daily until they had left once again only a fortnight later, although no one else was permitted to visit with her.
These visits were yet another source of contention between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, and on occasion, Mary had heard Lizzy’s name brought into these arguments when they were especially loud.
Mr. Bennet had not visited his daughter either and had eventually refused to allow the carriage to be called for them.
The Gardiners were concerned when they heard of frequent arguments but recognised that it likely was because this was the first time Mr. Bennet had insisted his wife do something she did not want to do.
Mary and Kitty said the arguments centred on her not wanting to travel to Ireland and her lack of understanding or acknowledgement of Lydia’s condition.
Mr. Bennet’s dictate that she may not visit the neighbours or receive visitors at Longbourn was likely also behind the problem, as Mrs. Bennet had few accomplishments and little to distract her without these.
This fact was unlikely to change in Ireland with only Lydia as company, and the Gardiners wondered how long that little visit would last without the two making each other mad.
After many conversations, it was determined that Mary would be taken to visit with the Darcys, but they would wait longer before taking Kitty, even for tea.
Neither Elizabeth nor Darcy would appreciate Kitty running on as she had with Mrs. Gardiner, and she would need to be convinced of the facts in the situation before she would be permitted in their company.
They also did not want her to influence Georgiana in any way until she learned how to behave more appropriately.
On Wednesday, Mrs. Gardiner met Elizabeth at the modiste with Mary to provide her with suitable gowns for London.
Mary would accompany the Darcys to the theatre and a concert the following week, and she would need appropriate dresses for both events.
She also needed some dresses for daytime, and Elizabeth was hopeful that she could convince Mary to order dresses that would complement her more than her current ones.
Mary had tended to prefer dark dresses with few embellishments as a contrast to the more ornate styles of her mother and youngest sister.
“Lizzy,” Mary cried when she saw her for the first time in months. “You look wonderful. Marriage certainly agrees with you.”
“Mary, it is so good to see you,” Elizabeth countered.
“I am sorry things have been difficult at Longbourn, but I hope to keep you with us as long as you like. In fact,” she glanced at her aunt, who nodded, “Mr. Darcy and I would like to invite you to come and stay with us at Darcy House for a few weeks. I think you and Georgiana would get along very well as you are both musical and perhaps you could participate in lessons with the piano master along with Georgiana. He comes twice a week.”
Mary’s eyes widened at the invitation. “But … what will Papa say?” Mary asked.
Elizabeth exchanged a glance with their aunt.
“Honestly, Mary, I am not certain what he might say. Knowing him, he would most likely say nothing since he can rarely be bothered to stir himself for much of anything outside his library. If he insists you be returned to the Gardiners, we will return you. However, you know as well as I do that it is unlikely he will be bothered to write.”
Her eyes cast down; she nodded her agreement. “I would enjoy visiting with you, Lizzy. Thank you for the invitation,” she said softly.
“Good. After we finish shopping, we will arrange for your belongings to be transported to Darcy House. Georgiana is looking forward to meeting you, but she was with her aunt this morning and could not join us,” Elizabeth replied cheerfully.
The rest of the appointment at the modiste went well, and Mary was persuaded to order several gowns in much brighter colours than was her typical style.
Several evening gowns, as well as day dresses and walking gowns, were ordered, and new shoes and bonnets were also obtained.
Mary would be well outfitted for her time in London for however long it would last. A few other things would be ordered if she were to accompany them back home to Pemberley.
Arriving at Darcy House, Mary was awed by what awaited her.
Having grown up at Longbourn and travelled to London far less frequently than Jane or Elizabeth, Darcy House was by far the grandest place she had ever seen, although it was relatively simple and elegant in its decor.
The size of the home, covering half of a city block, the simple elegance of the furnishings, and the sheer number of servants were enough to overwhelm one used to a modest estate in the country.
Her first meeting with Georgiana had gone well, mainly because of Elizabeth’s presence. Both girls tended toward shyness, so it was with Elizabeth’s help that the two found common ground in music.
“Georgiana, I would like to introduce you to my younger sister, Mary,” Elizabeth began once they were seated in the drawing room. “Mary, my newest sister, Georgiana.”
The two girls both acknowledged the introductions but then looked at each other for a moment before, once again, Elizabeth intervened.
“Mary is very interested in music and plays the piano frequently at home, Georgiana. She hopes to join you in some of your lessons when the piano master comes again,” she said.
Georgiana’s eyes flew to her sister since she was unaware of a piano master having been hired.
“Your brother was just able to re-engage him since we have only recently returned. I believe he is scheduled to come on Friday at ten in the morning, as I believe that is not a day for Lady Matlock to conduct visits,” Elizabeth continued.
“That is wonderful, Elizabeth,” Georgiana cried. “Miss Bennet, he is a wonderful teacher, and I am thrilled you will share lessons with me. You will enjoy them very much. Would you like to see my piano? My brother recently purchased a Broadwood Grand for our music room here.”
At her excited nod of acceptance, the two scurried to the music room, leaving Elizabeth behind.
She smiled at their excitement, moving into the library briefly to retrieve a book before joining the girls in the music room quietly.
She found them speaking to each other eagerly as they discussed composers and techniques, with Georgiana subtly instructing Mary as they played.
Nearly an hour later, William returned home and found his wife sitting to the side with a book in hand.
“Hello, love,” he whispered into her ear, causing her to jump slightly.
She turned and found him kneeling beside her and quickly pressed a kiss to his lips before indicating the scene in front of them.
“They are doing well together,” she whispered to him. “This will benefit both girls and help them learn confidence.”
“What of Miss Catherine?” William asked.
“Aunt decided it was best to allow her to be educated at Gracechurch Street before she ventures to Mayfair. She is still simply parroting all she has heard others say at this point, and while my aunt believes she does not believe all she says, she does not want to subject any of us to the unfeeling words she may say. She is still speaking in the same thoughtless way of Mrs. Bennet and Lydia, and my aunt hopes to spend some time training her to speak before she thinks,” Elizabeth confessed.
Offering his hand, he spoke quietly again, “Come, love, let us go into my study so we may speak in private. I have things to tell you that I do not want the others to hear,” he said, his eyes darting to their sisters seated together at the pianoforte.